Interference

• Interference is forgetting because one memory blocks another, causing one or both memories to be distorted and forgotten.
• Proactive interference: occurs when an older memory interferes with a newer one. For example, if you changed your phone number then you would keep recalling your old one instead of your new one.
• Retroactive interference: When a newer memory interferes with an older memory. For example, you moved houses and now you can't remember your old house address.
• McGeoch & McDonald studied retroactive interference by changing the amount of similarity between 2 sets of materials. Ppts had to learn a list of 10 words until they could remember them with 100% accuracy. Then they learned a new list.
• There were 6 groups of ppts:

  • group 1- synonyms
  • group 2- antonyms
  • group 3- words unrelated to the original ones
  • group 4- consonant syllables
  • group 5- 3 digit numbers
  • group 6- no new list, ppts just rested (control group)
• findings & conclusion:

  when ppts were asked to recall the original list, the most similar material (synonyms) produced the worst recall. This shows that interference is strongest when the memories are similar.
• Evaluation of interference:

  1. One strength is there is evidence of interference effects in everyday situations. Baddeley & Hitch asked rugby players to recall the names of the teams they played against during a rugby season. Players who played the most games had the poorest recall due to the most interference for memory. Increases validity of the study
• Evaluation of interference:

  1. The limitation is that interference is temporary and can be overcome by using cues.